We are looking for this hymn. My husband (63) and myself (52) remember it from when we were young. It is ironic that we both remember this song as it was not well known. I think I heard it by possibly Tennessee Ernie Ford. Any help, will be greatly appreciated. This hymn was spoken not sung. I remember the voice as being like that of an elderly black gentleman.

I was walking in Savannah past a church, decayed and dim
When slowly through the window came a plaintive funeral hymn
And my sympathy awakened and a wonder quickly grew
til I found myself envired in a little colored pew.

Out front a colored couple sat in sorrow, nearly wild
On the altar was a casket and in the casket was a child
I could picture him while livin, curly hair, protuding lips
Id seen perhaps a thousand in my hurried southern trips.

Rose a sad, old colored preacher from his little wooden desk
With a manner sorta awkward, and countenance grotesque
The simplicity and shrewdness in his eithopian face
Showed the wisdom and ignorance of a crushed, undying race.

And he said, now dont be weepin for this pretty bit of clay
For the little boy who lived there has done gone and run away
He was doin very finely and he appreciates your love
But his shore nuff father wanted him in the big house up above.

The lord didnt give you that baby, by no hundred thousand miles
He just thought you need some sunshine, and he lent it for awhile
And he let you keep and love it til your hearts were bigger grown
And these silver tears youre sheddin now is just interest on the loan.

Just think, my poor dear mourners, creepin long on sorrows lifes way
What a blessed picnic this here baby got today
Your good fathers and good mothers crowd the little fellow round
In the angels tender garden of the big plantation ground.

And his eyes they brightly sparkle at the pretty things he viewed
But a tear came, and he whispered, i want my parents , too
But then the angels chief musicians teach that little boy a song
Says if only they be faithful theyll soon be comin long.

So, my poor detached mourners, let your hearts with jesus rest
And dont go to criticizin the one what knows the best
He has give us many comforts, hes got the right to take away
To the lord be praised in glory, forever, let us pray.

Thanks, LOADS! Any idea of who did it and the name? I don't believe we actually found someone who knows it. I was about 7 when I remember hearing it. The only line I remembered was, "don't go weepin for this little bit of clay.

This song/poem really caught my eye. The lyrics were very familiar to me, and i know that I have heard it or perhaps read it before somewhere. I did some googling on here and found out that Hank Williams Sr. recorded this song. It is called, "The Funeral. " My dad is a huge Hank Sr. fan, so this may have been where I have heard it before...If i find out more about the song, i will post...Have a blessed day, Debbie